Minnesota 4-H alumni: Raise your hand

4-H gives youth the opportunity to learn by doing, grow from failure and develop the skills they need to be leaders now and for a lifetime. No one knows this better than you, our alumni, who have experienced 4-H firsthand. We need your help to bring the same experience and skills to youth today. Show your 4-H pride and help bring the same opportunities to youth in your community, throughout Minnesota and nationwide.

4-H Alumni and Friends News

4-H was a place of exploration for Matthew Schmidtbauer. Throughout his time in Anoka County 4-H, he tried several different project areas.

"Beekeeping, coin collecting, firearm safety, electronics and more. 4-H gave me such a wonderful opportunity to explore new topics," said Matthew during a recent conversation with fellow alum Laura Wyatt. "I was always encouraged to try different things."

For many years, Matthew took a project to exhibit and be judged at the Minnesota State Fair. "I can still remember how excited and proud I was for being awarded a state fair trip with one of my projects. It was a new, unique, and exciting experience to be able to spend the night on the fairgrounds. After going my first year, I worked extra hard on my projects the next year to earn a spot back!"

The state fair is a long way from home for Kaitlyn (Rosemore) Rhoda from Itasca county, but the 4-H building became a home away from home through her 4-H State Arts-In experience and other life events.

State Arts-In is a 22 day experience in which youth from all over the state come together to learn skills like teamwork, leadership, goal-setting, and theater arts. They put together a 30 minute musical show that is performed every day at the Minnesota State Fair. "I met so many wonderful people in State Arts-In. Two of them are going to be in my wedding as my maid of honor and my 'bridesman"

A proud Chisago County alum of the Hilltoppers 4-H club, Tony Minnichsoffer grew up showing animals, gardening, doing demonstrations, and growing as a leader. He chaired several committees, including being the president of his club and county federation. In each project he participated in, Tony remembers all of the things he learned and all of the skills he gained. "A few things that stick out are the camaraderie, and learning how to be a leader. I also learned public speaking skills," he said.

Tony is a prime example of how the 4-H pledge is lived out. "I think of the pledge almost every day. My heart to greater loyalty, and if everyone thought about that, we would live in a truly different world."